Colorado Springs or Bust!

Last year with having a new baby we missed our favorite stay-cation spot - Colorado Springs.  So we were anxious to go back and have a fun weekend with the girls.  We actually found a free weekend and jumped on the opportunity, heading out after the soccer games Saturday morning.  After lots of searching for hotels, trying to figure out what to do with 5 of us, we decided on a little place in Manitou Springs that had a kitchen and outdoor pool, of course.  We wanted to feel out how it was to travel with the 3 girls and stay in a hotel.  

When we arrived in town it was rainy, but we thought we'd try Garden of the Gods and hopefully it'd clear a little.  After driving around and waiting it out we were able to do some rock climbing and enjoy the scenery.

The girls on Balance Rock

 They can all finally hold still for a sec to capture a "sisters pic"

 They were so excited to finally be able to use our umbrellas!

 We even got a family pic.  Holla!  (Can't believe Steve and I are both wearing CSU shirts - what dorks!)

 Chandler absolutely loved climbing the rocks.  She always loves a good adventure.  Then when she got to the top she broke out in song and dance (which she does frequently now).  I'll have to post a video - it's hilarious!

 That evening it was still rainy, and the girls were bummed we didn't get to swim, so we decided to tour Cave of the Winds.  We hadn't been there for a long time, but it's a sweet place.

Brookly Bear and a real bear

 We had to bribe Brooklynn into a smile.  She was freaked out the entire time - worried that the cave would fall, it was too dark, and we would lose our groups.  This girl is such a worry wart!

The next morning we insisted on going to the zoo again, because the girls loved it last time!  Not gonna lie, I love it too!  The first stop - feeding the giraffes.  Brooklynn loved it.  Chandler refused, and Adaley wasn't sure what to think of it.

 Love Addy's expression

 Steve kept plopping the lettuce on her gut (because it'd sit there) and let the giraffe eat it off.  She didn't cry but didn't seem to enjoy it either.

 Chandler watching from a distance

 Petting the baby wallaby

 More Sista Pictures

 When we ask Brooklynn to look at the camera this is what we get!  She totally poses.  We are in some serious trouble with this girl!  I don't know where she learns it.

 After a good soaking  

 They had to do the pony rides, and thankfully they got the sparkle pony

We finally had some clear weather and was able to swim that afternoon.  Brooklynn is a fish that loves nothing more than the water!  We had to drag her out after 2 1/2 hours.  Chandler and Adaley, on the other hand, rather sit poolside and snack (just like mama).

 That evening we drove into downtown Manitou Springs for a delicious meal and walked around the shops.  It's such a cute downtown, and we'd never been there.  They had a huge outdoor arcade we spent some time in before calling it a night.

There goes Brooklynn again.  Serious?

Our last morning was super rainy, so we decided we needed to do something low-key indoors.  The girls were running out of steam, since they weren't napping or sleeping very much at night.  So we hit up the Ghost Town Museum - full of artifacts from the Old West.  It was a neat little place, but I'm sure the girls missed Santa's Workshop.  Maybe next time.....

 Panning for gold

 Last sista picture

 What a fun weekend!  It's so nice to just get away and spoil the girls!  Maybe next summer we'll get a little more adventurous and try a road trip.